Rose Articles

Just what is an ‘Heirloom Rose’? When referring strictly to ‘roses’ an heirloom roses are also known as “antique” or “old garden” roses, which include those that existed before 1867. Why that particular date you ask? “La France” the first hybrid tea rose, was discovered growing in a garden patch and introduced in 1867 which marked the start of a...

At Heirloom Roses, we are always looking at more sustainable methods of producing our roses. One of the most exciting changes we have made at the nursery involves our Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program. IPM takes a more holistic approach to growing, with an increased emphasis on scouting for pests and maintaining healthy plants as ways to minimize the use...

By Suzanne Verrier Suzanne Verrier, of Portland, Maine, who created, owned and operated Forevergreen Farm in North Yarmouth, Maine(1983-1993) has written a book entitled ROSA GALLICA. Her previous book ROSA RUGOSA has been very popular and the first book to be devoted to a single class of old rose varieties. She has written for various publications and is a lecturer...

By William A. Grant Bill Grant and Kleine Lettunich have been gardening friends for many years. Their rose gardens were started about the same time. If you grow enough roses, you may be the happy gardener who is creating new ones no one else has. With the birds and bees and even wind as helpers, the roses may be producing...

By John Clements The most common color found in roses is pink, including the wild roses. Today many blends and shades are available. From the pink, red, yellow, and white basic for colors of the past, in this century through breeding there are such colors as lavender, apricot, peach, orange, and combinations of these. I know that almost everyone has...

CAN YOU REALLY GROW ROSES IN IOWA? By Bill Buckles Bill Buckles and his family visited us during their vacation to the Oregon Coast. As he was telling us of his experiences as a gardener in Iowa we asked him to write it down so that we might share it with all of you. He willingly obliged. Buckles writes tests...

ROSES IN SOUTH CENTRAL MONTANA? YES, IT IS POSSIBLE HERE By Francis Walcott (submitted in 1994) First, physical and climatic conditions where I grow them. Altitude is just over 4000 feet. Climate is extremely variable. Most winters, but not all, temperatures drop to -40 ° or below, but usually for only a few nights, then sometimes, especially with a good...

By Miriam Wilkins (Lecturer and Active Member of Master Gardeners), El Cerrito, California Fifteen years ago Miriam Wilkins founded the Heritage Rose movement, which has now spread to England, France, Australia, and New Zealand. She is renowned for her knowledge of roses and her work to make the old roses popular. Her garden in El Cerrito, on San Francisco Bay...

Growing Roses in Minnesota (Zone 3A) By Patti Gates Gardener (Lecturer and Active Member of Master Gardeners) I live in zone 3A in Minnesota where the average frost dates are May lst and the 2nd of October. We have had frost into the first week of June and seen its return on the 3rd of September. Minnesota’s weather is always...

By D. W. Ruston of Renmark Roses in Renmark, Australia David Ruston is the former President of the World Federation of Rose Societies and travels extensively, giving talks and demonstrating with great humor and finese the art of flower arranging. I have been growing cut-flower roses for 30 years in the open on the River Murray at Renmark in South...